Although Saturday’s Southeastern Conference matchup between the Gators and the Crimson Tide resulted in Florida’s first loss of the year, the weekend was UF’s most important, of the season for the team’s future.
In the south end zone bleachers of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium sat 65 of the nation’s top high school prospects — 18 seniors, 46 juniors and even a freshman quarterback — a turnout typically reserved for the Florida State game.
Eight of the visitors were members of the 2012 class who have yet to commit. Also in attendance were three seniors who have pledged elsewhere: outside linebacker Noor Davis (Stanford), defensive end Dante Fowler, Jr. (FSU) and cornerback Chris Bivins (USF).
Among the uncommitted visitors were Rivals100 members Nelson Agholor, running back Keith Marshall, tight end Kent Taylor and defensive ends Leonard Williams and Jordan Jenkins.
Jenkins, a four-star recruit from Hamilton, Ga., has Florida and Alabama as his final two choices. Despite that, he still plans on taking official visits to Tennessee, Georgia and Auburn before his decision, which won’t be until after his senior season concludes.
Sean Culkin, a three-star tight end from Largo, was also in Gainesville this weekend. Culkin claims no offer from UF, but holds seven bids elsewhere.
“It was awesome,” he said. “I love going to Florida games… One of my favorite (things) is when the team runs out — ridiculous stuff. (It’s) so loud. That’s what college football is all about.”
Florida had nine oral commits present Saturday night, and some played the role of ambassador to the other visitors, talking up UF to the 2012 recruits who have yet to make their decisions, as well as the 2013 prospects.
Austin Hardin, an orally committed kicker out of Atlanta, Ga., was one of these promoters. Hardin said he talked mostly to Texas 2013 tackle prospect Jake Raulerson, who has received 19 offers from Big 12, Big East and SEC schools.
“We became pretty good friends,” Hardin said of Raulerson. “It was fun getting to talk to the coaches and other commits, but I’m just excited more than anything. The (Swamp) atmosphere was crazy.”
Two prospects out of Jacksonville made the road trip to Gainesville this weekend, too. Nick Washington, a Trinity Christian Academy safety, and Ahmad Fulwood, a Bishop Kenny High wide receiver, have collected offers from big names in the ACC, Big East and SEC.
“(The trip) went pretty good,” said Fulwood, who was also in attendance for the Florida Atlantic game. “It gets super loud. The fans are pretty loyal, too; even though the Gators got edged a little bit, the fans stayed there and still made noise. The atmosphere in The Swamp (is my favorite part). I always love going, and seeing a lot of people there — Gators fans or ‘Bama fans — is cool.”
Another notable visitor was Elijah Daniel, a highly touted 2013 recruit out of Avon, Ind. The 6-foot-4, 253-pound defensive end picked up a scholarship offer Saturday from Florida — his fifth official — following an unofficial visit he took with his high school defensive coordinator, Chris Bombei. Daniel has plans to visit Notre Dame later this month as well as Alabama and FSU sometime this fall.
Oral commitments are non-binding until a national letter of intent is signed on or after National Signing Day on Feb. 1.
